Glavich read a letter from Martin Hedgelon, Wayne County 911 Coordinator and director of communications. It said that effective Jan. 1, 2013, the FCC is requiring all radios between 150 MHz and 470 MHz to be licensed and narrow banded.

It also said that Wayne County has all equipment in place and ready to go. Hedgelon said the cut over would be Nov. 12 and that a radio vendor will be going to each tower site to make the proper adjustments for the narrow band cutover.

All of Wayne County 911 should be completely cut over by the end of that day.

“I was looking into Mol Communications for radios,” says Glavich. “They have different options and they would come to us and do the work.”

By work he means the installation and if other problems arise.

“Their 50 watt radios work well,” he says.

The radio he was looking into was the 50 watt that came with a remote head and antenna, and has 20 characters.

“It's $175 to install, which includes the antenna on the car and the transmitter in the trunk,” Glavich explains. “They are vertex radios, which are made by Motorola. These have more reception too. We would get five portable radios for $50 as well.”

The installation for one vehicle, with the radio Glavich was talking about, would total $1,040. Added with the five portable radios, the total cost to the police department would be $1,090.

The council compared the 50 watt to the 100 watt, and shared their thoughts and concerns.

“The chief says he likes the 50 watt and is comfortable with it, so we should go with what he feels,” says member Doug Bayly. “Because ultimately it is the police department who will use the radios.”

After a lot of discussion the council decided on the 50 watt radios.

Natural gas

Member Jane Varcoe talked about a seminar she attended at the Hilton in Scranton, which was sponsored by Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., Chesapeake Energy, Pocono Peterbilt and the Northeast PA Alliance.

“Presenters were from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and the presentation was based on Act 13 of 2012,” she says. “First there was a thorough explanation given explaining exactly what natural gas vehicles and fueling technology is, and the impact this new technology is having today in changing the energy consumption in the United States.”

She says the second part was about accessing natural gas vehicle opportunities.

“Pennsylvania is sponsoring a Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program,” Varcoe states. “Up to $20 million will be awarded in the next three years.

“Grants will be given up to 50 percent of the cost to retro fit present vehicles and to purchase new ones. Natural gas vehicles use compressed or liquefied gas.”

Natural gas vehicles use one seventh the cost of gasoline.

An example is if a truck is filled with $140 worth of gasoline and then retrofitted to natural gas, it will only cost $20 to fill up.

“Another exciting statistic is natural gas retrofitting will be for all vehicles, public and private,” she adds. “If your vehicle, like my 2012 Ford Escape, has a FLEX FUEL decal on it, it can be retrofitted to use natural gas.”

She says there were 107 attending the seminar and the interest of the participants was “outstanding.”

Varcoe also explained that hundreds of vehicles are being ordered throughout PA to use natural gas and thousands retrofitted. Waste Management is one company committed to changing it’s whole fleet to natural gas.

Recognition

A letter was sent to the borough council, thanking them for getting a ditch fixed on Myrtle Street through Wayco.

Donation

Waymart Parties in the Park donated $500 to the police department, showing their appreciation and gratitude for “everything the police do to help the organization achieve their goals and complete their mission.”

Tax increase

Starting with the 2013 budget, the council voted to raise the real estate tax by $1 million, making the total $2.4 million.

It is one of the ways they hope to bring more revenue into the borough.

“It will help us balance out and move forward,” says Doug Bayly.

The decision was not unanimous, but had majority vote.

Brookside lighting

All of the light poles are now up on Brookside Road. Member AJ Gaudenzi said the project started on Oct. 15 and the last pole was up by Oct. 17.

“They are 25 feet tall and are 100 watt,” he says. “They are made of green aluminum.”

Christmas event

On Dec. 18 starting at noon there will be an ornament hunt in the park. After, the public is invited to go to the fire company and meet Santa Claus.

Winter parking

Mayor Jack Millard says that starting Nov. 15 there will be no overnight street parking.

He says it's important to keep the streets clear, making it easier for snow removal, etc.

“The first violation will be a warning,” he says. “After that you will be ticketed.”

Overnight parking is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The restriction will run until March 15.